CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- Lifetime has renewed its freshman drama series "1-800-MISSING" for a second season of 13 episodes. The news was announced via press release this morning.

Series star Gloria Reuben however will not return for the show's second outing, as the actress has left the series in order to pursue other projects. Vivica A. Fox ("Kill Bill," "Soul Food") has signed on to fill the void left by Reuben's exit, playing "a hard-nosed FBI agent who'll bend any rule to solve a missing person's case."

"We're delighted that Vivica Fox, one of television and film's most popular personalities, is joining the roster of talent in Lifetime's family of dramas," Barbara Fisher, Lifetime's entertainment executive vice president, said in a press release touting the news. "With her charm and charisma, alongside the equally talented Caterina Scorsone, '1-800-MISSING' will continue growing as a top-flight drama series offering our audiences intelligent and suspenseful entertainment."

Fox's involvement stems from a development deal the actress signed with "MISSING's" distributor, Lions Gate Television. As part of the pact, Fox will develop, produce and star in low-budget movies for the studio in addition to starring in "MISSING."

The series, along with fellow freshman drama "Wild Card," is set to return in August where it will continue in its current Saturday, 10:00/9:00c time period. For its 18-episode inaugural season, "MISSING" averaged 2.1 million viewers and a 2.0 household rating. The series also scored strongly in several key female demographics, placing first in its time period among household ratings, versus all basic cable networks.

Glenn Davis & William Laurin ("Once a Thief," "Power Play") and Debra Martin Chase ("The Princess Diaries," Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella") are the executive producers of "MISSING," a co-production of Lions Gate Television and CHUM Television.